Reversing toy vehicle



Aug. 24, 1937. L, MARX 2,091,004

REVERSING TOY VEHICLE .Filed Sept. 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l fw www I lll: H/ "l -,NVENTQR )lf2 Z8 |40 LOUIS Marx' ATTORNEYS y Aug. 24, 1937. L MARX 2,091,004

REVERS ING TOY VEHI CLE Filed sept. 1v, 1955v z sheets-sheet 2 Tizi. M z/s so n .64 5@ 5.6M" Il" 94 96 98 Ill- 4 l 58`F 56 I |5056- 24 B 4 G 54 af 153m .24/ 'V86 mi n4 |04 ne F lNvENToR v Lows Marx BY A ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 23 Claims.

This invention relates to toys, and more particularly to a toy vehicle provided with automatically operable reversing mechanism.

The primary object of my invention resides in the provision of a motor-driven toy vehicle provided with reversing mechanism between the motor and the wheels together with one or more suitable contactors for automatically initiating reversal of the movement of the vehicle. Inasmuch as the drive comes into a neutral or .disengaged position between the forward and reverse positions of the gearing it is difficult to obtain a complete reversing operation `directly from the contactor, this being especially true when the vehicle is moving slowly, and it is accordingly a further object of my invention to ensure completion of the reversing operation, preferably under power drive from the motor propelling the vehicle.

In accordance with a more particular feature and object of my invention, the contactors may take the form of front and rear bumpers on the vehicle, the front bumper serving to change the drive from forward to reverse when striking an obstacle, and the rear bumper serving to change the drive from reverse to forward when striking an obstacle. In accordance withk another feature and object of my invention the contactors may take the form of front and rear feelers adapted to touch the table or like running surface, the vehicle drive being changed from forward to reverse when the front feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, and conversely, from reverse to forward when the rear feeler passes over the edge of the running surface. In preferred form the toy is provided with both the bumpers and feelers, thus making the same exceedingly versatile in operation, for it performs in a safe and amusing manner whether running between obstacles or on a table or raised surface with a free edge, or between an obstacle and a free edge.

The vehicle preferably simulates a farm tractor provided with an endless tread, for it may then run partially over the edge of a table or the like while retaining suitable clearance and traction to run in the oppositer direction when the driving gear is reversed. With this arrangement the feelers may be short and located in a 00 nearly concealed position on the vehicle body.

In order not to interfere with the climbing properties of the tractor, the bumpers are elevated, and optionally usable means are provided to hold the feelers in elevated inoperative position. The tractor may be provided with a figure simulating the operator thereof, in which case said figure is preferably pivoted and connected to a reversing lever, so that the operator appears to reverse the tractor.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the reversing vehicle elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be dei-ined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a toy embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar elevation showing the toy in operation;

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view with the bottom of the Vehicle body and feelers removed;

Fig. 4 is a section taken in elevation;

Fig. 5 is a detail explanatory of the power driven mutilated gear reversing mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of the toy with the bottom and feelers in place; and

Fig. 7 is a detail showing the manner in which the feelers may be xed in elevated inoperative position.

Referring to the drawings, the vehicle comprises a body B, mounted on wheels W and car- -rying a driving motor M which is connected to one or more of the wheels through a suitable reversing gear R. The toy is provided with one or more contactors for automatically reversing the direction of the toy, these contactors being here exemplified by front and rear bumpers C, and front and rear feelers F. As will be evident from inspection and comparison of Figs. 1 and 2, the vehicle approaching an obstacle O, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is reversed when a bumper C strikes the obstacle. Furthermore, as the vehicle approaches and begins to pass a table edge or the like as indicated at E, a feeler F detects this danger and reverses the direction of operation. In order to ensure quick, sensitive and complete operation of the reversing gear, the reversing operation is completed under power drive from the motor by means generally designated P (Fig. 4).

Considering the arrangement in greater detail, the vehicle here disclosed simulates a farm tractor and the body B is made up of suitable pieces of sheet metal shaped and bent to form a hood l2, radiator I4, a frame Hi, a seat I8` and steering wheel 20. The Wheels W are all alike and are mounted on front and rear axles 22 and 24 which pass through the body. The wheel peripheries are V-shaped in cross-section and receive the V-shaped blocks 2S of the continuous rubber treads 28, the outer surfaces of which are provided with suitable projections 35 to en- 5 sure adequate traction even when climbing.

The motor M may be of conventional type and in the present case is a spring motor comprising a square winding stem 32, one end of which is n bent to form a winding key 34. A steel ribbon spring 36 is connected at its inner end to the winding stem and at its outer end to a suitable frame 4i) secured to the side wall of the body.

Winding stem 32 is connected through a suitableratchet or clutch 42 to a gear ill meshing with a pinion 46 fixed to a short shaft 43 carry- 'ing a crown gear 50 forming a part-of the reversing gear. The other part of the reversing gear comprises a mating pinion E2, the ends of which are bevelled to facilitate meshing of .the

"-0 gears during the reversing operation. It will be understood that the length of pinion 52 is less than the diameter of crown gear 511 and that the pinion is axially reciprocable between positions meshing with either side of the crown gear, thereby reversing the direction of rotation of the pinion.

Pinion 52 is fixed to a longitudinally slidable shaft 54 carried in bearings 55 bent outwardly from the wall of a frame 58 which carries the aforesaid step-up gear train. The forward end of shaft 56 is provided with an elongated pinion 6B constantly meshing with one side of a crown gear 52 connected to the axle 22 by a suitable coupling 64. 'Ihe pinion 6G is sufficient in length "5 to keep it in mesh with crown gear 62 during reciprocation of reversing gear pinion 52.

Front and rear bumpers C are symmetrically arranged and are connected to the forward and rear ends of a longitudinally reciprocable bar ll0 the side edges of which may be flanged iripwardly as indicated at S8 in order to stiffen and strengthen the same. A part of bar 66 is bent upwardly at 'l0 and encompasses pinion shaft ie latter is provided with collars 12 on either side of l5 the projection 1|] so that movement of the bumper bar 66 causes movement of the reversing pinion. In Fig. 4 the gears are shown in position for forward drive and it will be noted that the bumper bar projects forwardly. When the for- 50 ward bumper strikes an obstacle it moves the bumper bar, tending to shift the reversing gear from the forward to the reverse drive position.

Inasmuch as the vehicle, particularly when traveling slowly, as in the case of a tractor, will not have sufficient inertia to complete the desired reversing operation, and in any casein order to make the operation of the toy entirely foolproof and dependable, I do not rely upon the physical movement of the bumper to cause re- Gfl versal of the gearing and in fact, it will be noted that the collars 'I2 are spaced somewhat so that any slight initial movement of the bumper bar is ineffective to shift the gears. To obtain a positive gear shift under power drive, I employ a G5 mutilated gear 'i4 connected to a crank arm 16 engaging a slotted member 'i8 connected to bumper bar 65. Mutilated gear T4 is adapted to mesh with a pinion 89, but is normally disengaged therefrom because of the removal of sev- 70 eral teeth at diametrically opposed points 82,

as is best shown in Fig. 5.

Pinion 83, it will be observed, forms a part of the governor mechanism and is constantly rotated, the governor being driven by suitable 75 step-up gearing including a gear 84 fixed to pinion 46 and meshing with a pinion 8G itself fixed to a gear 88 which in turn meshes with governor pinion 8B. The latter rotates a governor shaft 90 carrying weight arms 92, the opposite ends of which bear frictionally against a drum S4 fixed to the side of the body. A suitable stopping and starting lever 96 is pivoted at 98 and includesa depending portion |09 adapted to be moved into the path of the rotating governor arms, thereby stopping the motor.

The upward projection or arm 18 on bumper bar 5E is preferably formed to simulate a reversing lever, although it is flxedly mounted on the bumper bar. The arm 'i8 is vertically slotted to receive the crank 76, but the upper and lower portions of the slot are relatively offset, thus forming shoulders |02 which function to arrest further movement of the crank after each reversing operation. The crank and mutilated gear T4 are so related that when the crank is in its position of rest or mid-position, the gear is out of mesh with pinion 8B. As viewed in Fig. 4, the vehicle is traveling ahead and crank IG is in its forward position, further movement thereof being stopped by the upper shoulder |92. When the front bumper strikes an obstacle and is moved even slightly, the reversing arm I8 is moved slightly toward the rear, thereby moving the top shoulder H32 away from crank pin It and clearing the same for movement in the upper slot.

To ensure prompt meshing of the mutilated gear with pinion 86, I provide a light cantilever spring wire or starter spring EM, fixed to the vehicle body at JGS and having its free end |98 bearing upwardly against the downwardly disposed half of a diametrical arm HQ, the latter being fixed to the shaft of the mutilated gear.

When the mutilated gear comes into mesh it is positively driven under power and moves reversing arm 18 rearwardly, thereby shifting the pinion 52 of the reversing gear from the forward to the rear edge of crown gear 5S. After completing a half revolution, the crank pin 'IG reaches and bears against the lower shoulder |92, as is shown in Fig. 5, thereby preventing further movement. At the same time the gear ill is disengaged from pinion 8i), by reason of the missing teeth at section 82. The parts are now in position for again reversing the direction of travel from rearward to forward, for upon contact of the rear bumper with an obstruction, the bumper bar S is shifted forward slightly, thereby removing the bottom shoulder H32 from beneath reversing crank 16, whereupon the mutilated gear is again moved into mesh by the starter spring |04 and is again positively rotated for half a revolution, thus shifting the reversing gear to the forward driving position.

As was heretofore mentioned, the direction of the toy may also be reversed by the feelers F. 'I'hese are formed of bent wire looped at the lower ends to move along the running surface with a minimum of friction. They are pivotally mounted on the body at ||2 and are centrally offset at H4 as is best shown in Fig. 6. While these feelers might be connected to the reverse gear or to the bumper bar in order to provide the slight initial movement needed to start the power drive of the reversing lever, I prefer to make the arrangement even more sensitive so that the feelers, while light in weight, will, when descending, initiate a preliminary power movement of the bumper bar, which in turn is followed by the power driven reversing operation heretofore described. To attain this sensitive response I provide the front and rear axles 22 and 24 with trip gears |22 and |24, and I provide the bumper` bar 66 with trip members |26 and v|28 located adjacent the trip gears |22 and |24. Specifically, the trip members are here exempliiied by an elongated leaf spring, the central portion |30 of which is secured to the bumper bar and the end portions of which are bent downwardly to normally underlie the trip gears. The tips of trip springs |26 and |28 are bent upwardly at |32 and |34 to engage the teeth of trip gears 22 and |24, respectively, when the springs are elevated.

It will be observed from inspection of Fig. 4 that in the forward driving position, the tip S32 of trip spring I2!)` underlies trip .gear |22 and that the offset portion ||4 of the forward feeler is disposed directly beneath trip spring |26. When the tractor reaches and runs over a table edge, the forward feeler descends, thereby slightly elevating trip spring |26. This spring is long and thin and offers only negligible resistance to upward movement. The tip |32 of the trip spring thereupon engages the teeth of trip gear |22, which moves the spring rearwardly, thereby moving the bumper bar rearwardly and initiat- `ing the power driven reversing operation. At the completion of the reversing operation the tip |36 of the trip spring |28 underlies the rear trip gear |24, this being preparatory to changing the direction from rearward to forward should the rear feeler pass over the edge of the running surface.

Inasmuch as one important feature of the tractor toy is its ability to climb over obstructions, the bumpers and bumper bar are preferably elevated a substantial amount, say approximately at the axle line, so that any obstruction encountered which is lower than the bumper, is climbed by the tractor. If the toy is to be run on the iioor or is to be used for climbing purposes, the feelers F are unnecessary and may even prove bothersome. I have accordingly arranged the same so that they may be fixed in elevated position, at which time they are entirely out of the way. For this purpose, the feelers are bent inwardly when viewed in plan (see Fig; 6), so that when elevated they bear against the sides cf the vehicle body. The bottom wall |40 3f the toy is anged upwardly at its outer periphery 42 and the feeler may be pushed upwardly until it passes the flange |42 as is clearly shown in Fig. 7. The feeler is then held flxedly in elevated position and is of course not only inoperative, but is preferably located within the periphery of the tractor tread, so that it docs not in any way interfere with the climbing ability ci the tractor.

Reversing arm 'i8 preferably projects upwardly to a position at one side of the simulated steering wheel 2B and ahead of the simulated operator. The latter may be formed of sheet metal and the body portion |43 is preferably pivcted at |44 with relation to the leg portions D S56. One arm |48 is pivoted to the body at the shoulder |56 and is pivoted to reversing lever 'F8 at the hand |52. The parts are preferably so dimensioned that the figure sits in a generally erect or forward-leaning position when the toy is running ahead, but is drawn sharply rearwardly, as is best shown in Fig. 2, when the toy is reversed. This produces a comical effect because when the toy strikes an obstruction or reaches a table edge, the operator appears to draw frantically back in an effort to reverse th tractor in time. f It is believed that the construction and operation as well as the many advantages of my improved reversing vehicle toy will be manifest from the foregoing detailed description thereof. 'Ihe vehicle may be provided with any ldesired form of contactor, and the particular forms here described, namely bumpers and feelers, may of course be used alone as well as in combination. The reversing operation is made positive and dependable because it is produced under drive of the motor and the contactors function merely to initiate the reversing operation. Furthermore, in the case of the feelers, the operation is made even more sensitive by using a power impulse for even the preliminary or initial movement of the reversing gear. It will be understood that the toy may be operated back and forth between obstacles, or back and forth between the opposite edges of a running surface, as well as between the obstacle and an edge, the latter oonfiition being illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Furthermore, the feelers may be elevated out of the way and the tractor used for climbing Aover obstacles in conventional fashion. The movement of the figure simuiatedly driving the toy enhances the realism and amusement value of the toy. f

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, many changes and modifications maybe made in the structure disclosed without departing from the sp-irit of the invention defined in the following claims. v

I claimz- 1. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, driving wheels thereon, a reversing gear between said motor and wheels, means arranged to be driven by said motor to reverse said reversing gear, a contact bumper, and means so connecting said bumper to said means that said means is made operative and the drive is reversed when the bumper strikes an obstacle.

2. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body,`

a spring motor therein, driving wheels thereon, a reversing gear between said spring motor and wheels, means arranged to be driven by said motor to reverse said reversing gear, front and rear bumpers, and means so connecting said-1:.

bumpers to said means that said means is made operative and the drive is changed from forward to reverse when the front bumper strikes an obstacle, and from reverse to forward when the rear bumper strikes an obstacle.

3. A reversing toy vehicle comprising body,

a motor therein, driving wheels mounted thereon, a gear train interconnecting said motor and driving Wheels, said gear train including a reversing gear, a bumper, a reversing arm ar-r ranged'to be connected to and driven by said motor for reversing said reversing gear, and means whereby the bumper when moved slightly toward the vehicle connects said reversing arm to said motor, so that the reversing operation.'

is completed under power of the driving motor.

4. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body,

a motor therein, driving wheels mounted thereon,

a gear train interconnecting said motor and driving wheels, said gear train including a reversing.-

gear, front and rear bumpers connected to one another and to said reversing gear, a mutilated gear connected to said motor for rotating areversing crank, a reversing arm operated by said crank and connected to said bumpers and-'revers-:'-.-.

ing gear, and means whereby movement of the bumpers brings said mutilated gear into mesh, so that the reversing operation is completed under power of the driving motor.

5. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, driving wheels mounted thereon, a gear train interconnecting said motor and driving wheels, said gear train including a revers-- ing gear, an initial control element, a mutilated gear connected to said motor for rotating a reversing crank, a reversing arm. connected to said element, a slot therein having relatively olset upper and lower portions receiving said crank, the shoulders between the offset slots serving to arrest movement of the reversing crank until said arm is moved slightly by said eiement, and a starter spring urging said mutilated gear into mesh, whereby the reversing operation is completed under power when initiated by the element.

6. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a spring motor therein, driving wheels mounted thereon, a gear train interconnecting said spring motor and driving wheels, said gear train including a reversing gear, front and rear bumpers connected to one another and to said reversing gear, a mutilated gear connected to said motor for rotating a reversing crank, a reversing arm connected to said bumpers and reversing gear, a slot therein having relatively offset upper and lower portions receiving said crank, the shoulders between the offset slots serving to arrest movement of the reversing crank. until one of the bumpers is moved slightly toward the vehicle body, and a starter spring urging said mutilated gear into mesh, whereby the reversing operation is completed under power of the driving spring when initiated by movement of the bumper.

7. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, driving wheels mounted thereon, a reversing gear between said driving motor and said wheels, a feeler mounted on said body and adapted to touch the table or like running surface at one end of the vehicle, and means so interconnecting said feeler and reversing gear that the drive is reversed when the feeler passes over the edge of the running surface.

8. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, driving wheels mounted thereon, a reversing gear between said driving motor and said wheels, front and rear feelers mounted on said body and adapted to touch the table or like running surface at the front and rear ends of the vehicle, and means so interconnecting said feelers and reversing gear that the `drive is changed from forward toreverse when the front feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, and conversely, the drive is changed from reverse to forward when the rear feeler passes over the edge of the running surface.

9. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a spring motor therein, driving wheels mounted thereon, a reversing gear between said driving motor and said wheels, front and rear feelers pivotally mounted on said body and adapted to touch the table or like running surface at the front and rear ends of the vehicle, and means so interconnecting said feelers and reversing gear that the drive is changed from forward to reverse when the front feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, and conversely, the drive is changed from reverse to forward when the rear feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, and optionally usable means to hold said feelers iixed in elevated inoperative position.

10. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, front and rear axles with driving wheels, a reversing gear connected between said motor and driving wheels, front and rear trip gears on said front and rear axles, trip elements connected to said reversing gear and mounted adjacent said gears, front and rear contact members mounted at the forward and rear ends of the body, and means so connecting said members with said elements that movement of a member moves an element into engagement with a trip gear and thereby moves the reversing gear toward reversing position.

ll. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, front and rear axles with driving wheels, a reversing gear connected between said motor and driving wheels, front and rear trip gears on said front and rear axles, a trip spring connected to said reversing gear and mounted with its ends beneath said gears, front and rear contact members mounted at the forward and rear ends of the body, and means so connecting said members with said trip spring that movement of a member raises the adjacent end of the trip spring into engagement with the trip gear and thereby moves the reversing gear toward reversing position.

12. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a spring motor therein, front and rear axles with driving wheels, a reversing gear connected between said spring motor and driving wheels, front and rear trip gears on said front and rear axles, a trip spring connected to said reversing gear and mounted with its ends beneath said gears, front and rear feelers pivotally mounted at the forward and rear ends of the body and adapted to run along the table or like surface on which the to-y is operated, and means so connecting said feelers with said trip spring that descent of a feeler, as when passing over a table edge, raises one end of the trip spring into engagement with the adjacent trip gear and thereby moves the reversing gear toward reversing position.

13. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, front and rear axles with driving wheels, a reversing gear connected between said motor and driving wheels, front and rear trip gears on said front and rear axles, trip ele'` ments mounted adjacent said tripgears, front and rear contactcrs mounted at the forward and rear ends of the body, and means so connecting said contactors with said trip elements that the contactor moves an element into engagement with a trip gear, a reversing arm adapted to be connected to said driving motor, and means whereby movement of an element engaging a trip gear connects said reversing arm to said motor.

14. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, front and rear axles with driving wheels, a reversing gear connected between said motor and driving wheels, front and rear trip gears on said front and rear axles, trip elements mounted adjacent said trip gears, front and rear feelers mounted at the forward and rear ends of the body and adapted to run along the table or like surface on which the toy is operated, and means so connecting said feelers with said trip elements that descent of the feeler, as when passing over a table edge, moves an element into engagement with a trip gear, a reversing arm adapted to be connected to said driving motor, and means whereby movement of an element engaging a trip gear connects said reversing arm to said motor, so that the reversing operation is completed under power from the motor.

15. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a spring motor therein, front and rear axles with driving wheels, a reversing gear connected between said spring motor and driving wheels, front and rear trip gears on said front and rear axles, a trip spring connected to said reversing gear and mounted with its ends beneath said gears, front and rear feelers pivotally mounted at the forward and rear ends of the body and adapted to run along the table or like surface on which the toy is operated, and means so connecting said feelers with said trip spring that descent of the` feeler, as when passing over a table edge, raises the adjacent end of the trip spring into engagement with the trip gear and thereby moves the reversing gear toward reversing position, a mutilated gear connected to the said spring motor, a reversing crank, a reversing arm connected to said trip spring and having a vertical slot with offset lower and upper portions receiving said crank, the shoulders of said offset slot serving to arrest movement of the crank until moved by the trip spring, and a starter spring urging said mutilated gear into mesh, whereby the reversing operation is completed under power from the drive spring when initiated by the trip gear.

16. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, driving wheels thereon geared to said motor, a reversing gear between said motor and wheels, a bumper, and means so connecting said bumper to said reversing gear that the drive is reversed when the bumper strikes an obstacle, a feeler mounted on said body and adapted to touch the table or like running surface, and means so interconnecting said feeler and reversing gear that the drive is reversed when the feeler passes over the edge of the running surface.

17. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, driving wheels thereon geared to said motor, a reversing gear between said motor and wheels, iront and rear bumpers, and means so connecting said bumpers to said reversing gear that the drive is changed from forward to reverse when the front bumper strikes an obstacle, and from reverse to forward when the rear bumper strikes an obstacle, front and rear feelers mounted on said body adapted t0 touch the table or like running surface at the front and rear ends of the vehicle, and means so interconnecting said feelers and reversing gear that the drive is changed from forward to reverse when the front feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, and conversely, the drive is changed from reverse to forward when the rear feeler passes over the edge of the running surface.

18. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body,

d a spring motor therein, driving wheels thereon geared to said spring motor, a reversing gear between said spring motor and wheels, front and rear bumpers, and means so connecting said bumpers to said reversing gear that `the drive is changed from forward to reverse when the front bumper strikes an obstacle, and from reverse to forward when the rear bumper strikes an obstacle, front and rear feelers pivotally mounted on said body adapted to touch the table or like running surface at the. front and rear ends of the vehicle, means so interconnecting said feelers and -reversing gear that the drive is changed from forward to reverse when the front feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, and conversely, the drive is changed from reverse to forward when the rear feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, and optionally usable means to hold the feelers in elevated inoperative position. I

19. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, front and rear axles with driving wheels thereon geared to said motor, a reversing gear between said motor and wheels, front and rear bumpers, and means so connecting said bumpers to said reversing gear that the drive is changed from forward to reverse when the front bumper strikes an obstacle, and from reverse to forward when the rear bumper strikes an obstacle, front and rear trip gears on said front and rear axles, trip elements connected to said reversing gear and mounted adjacent said trip gears, front and rear feelers mounted at the forward and rear ends of the body and adapted to run along the table or like surface on which the toy is operated, and means sol connecting said feelers with said trip elements that descent of the feeler, as when passing over a table edge, moves an element into engagement with a trip gear and thereby moves the reversing gear toward reversing position.

20. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a springmotor therein, front and rear axles with driving wheels thereon geared to said spring motor, a reversing gear between said spring motor 'and wheels, front and rear bumpers, and means so connecting said bumpers to said reversing gear that the drive is changed from forward toreverse when the front bumper strikes an obstacle, and from reverse to forward when the rear bumper strikes an obstacle, front and rear trip gears on said front and rear axles, a trip spring connected to said reversing gear and mounted with its ends beneath said gears, front and rear feelers pivotally mounted at the forward and rear ends of the body and adapted to run along the table or like surface on which the toy is operated, and means so connecting said feelers` with said trip spring that descent of the feeler, as when passing over a table edge, raises the adjacent end o-f the trip spring into engagement with the trip gear and thereby moves the reversing gear toward reversing position.

21. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, driving wheels mounted ther-eon, a gear train interconnecting said motor and driving wheels, said gear train including a reversing gear, front and rear bumpers connected to said reversing gear, a reversing arm adapted to be operated by said motor, and means responsive to movement of a bumper for connecting said arm to said motor, front and rear feelers mounted on said body and adapted torun` along the table or like surface on which the to-y is running, and means responsive to movement of a feeler over the edge of the running surface to connect said arm to said motor, so that the reversing operation is completed under rpower of the motor.

22. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a motor therein, driving wheels; and axles mounted thereon, a gear train v interconnecting said motor and driving wheels, said gear train including a reversing gear, front and rear bumpers connected to said reversing gear, a mutilated gear connected to said motor for rotating a reversing crank, a reversing arm connected tosaid crank, whereby the reversing operation is `completed under power of the driving spring when initiated by movement of the bumper, front and rear feelers mounted on said body and adapted to run along the table 0r like surface on which the toy is running, trip gears on the axles of the toy, trip elements connected to said bumpers and reverse gear and mounted adjacent said trip gears, and means so connecting said feelers to said elements that when a feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, it moves an element into engagement with a trip gear, thereby starting movement of the reverse gear, said movement when initiated being completed by the: aforesaid mutilated gear.

23. A reversing toy vehicle comprising a body, a spring motor therein, driving Wheels and. axles mounted thereon, a gear train interconnecting said spring motor and driving wheels, said gear train including a reversing gear, front and rear bumpers connected t0 one another and to said reversing gear, a mutilated gear connected to said motor for rotating a reversing crank, a reversing arm connected to said bumpers, a slot therein having relatively oiset upper and lower portions receiving said crank, the shoulders between the offset slots serving to arrest movement of the reversing crank until one of the bumpers is moved slightly toward the vehicle body, and. a starter spring urging said mutilated gear into mesh, whereby the reversing operation is completed under power of the driving spring when initiated by movement of the bumper, front and rear feelersv pivotally mounted on said. body and adapted to run along the table or like surface on which the toy is running, trip gears on the axles of the toy, a trip spring connected to said bumpers and reverse gear with its ends underlying said trip gears, and means so connecting said eelers tol said trip spring that When the feeler passes over the edge of the running surface, it elevates the trip spring into engagement with the trip gear, thereby starting movement of the reverse gear, said movement when initiated being completed by the aforesaid mutilated gear. 20

LOUIS MARX. 

